The Connecticut tragedy has raised more questions than answers, and sadly, it is a situation that may never yield definitive answers, so we will likely be left to continue pondering our questions.
One question that stands out in my mind deals with what was sown into the lives of the mother and son who are at the center of the tragedy. There are many reports about guns being the connecting point for the two of them, but what was it about their lives that drew them so strongly toward guns?
I know that in certain regions throughout the U.S., guns are a natural part of the culture, and shooting guns is almost a rite of passage. Has anyone ever examined why that is? Some might say it's simply for enjoyment,but what is really enjoyable about causing an animal or a person to die a violent death just for entertainment? Does it represent an underlying desire for power or control?
There are those who spend countless hours at the shooting range, perfecting their skills. Are some of us guilty of studying more about guns than about God? Are we teaching our children more about guns and self-defense than we are about God's Word and self-control, which is a fruit of the Spirit?
Scripture tells us that God is our refuge and strength, a very present help in time of trouble. But, it seems some of us have decided that just in case He doesn't provide us with the refuge and strength we think we need, we'll keep a few guns handy to take matters into our own hands.
I've heard that some folks teach their children about guns so that they can handle them responsibly and defend themselves if necessary. But, how many reports have you heard about children handling a gun responsibly and saving the day because there was a gun in the home? I haven't heard a single report like that, but I have heard countless stories of children who were taught about guns at home who took that teaching and shot themselves or others accidentally--or on purpose.
I've also heard that "guns don't kill people, people kill people." That's true to an extent, but I view it from the perspective of the title of this week's blog entry--More God, Less Guns. If more people have more God in them and there are less guns available for those who don't, there will be less people who are inclined to shoot people, and less ammunition for them to accomplish it with. Even though it's people who pull the trigger, some tragedies would be far less likely to occur if guns were not accessible.
Some argue that gun control only controls the guns that belong to "law-abiding citizens" instead of criminals. Again, how many news reports have you heard where individuals who had guns thwarted a criminal? Sure, we've all heard a few stories--a FEW stories-- but none to match the number of people harmed by guns.
Friends, I know we live in dangerous times, but we simply cannot shoot our way out of this wicked world. I don't think the stairway into to Heaven will be found littered with shell casings, and when we reach the pearly gates I don't expect to see Yosemite Sam there shooting off a few rounds into the air and welcoming us in with a "rootin' tootin'" shout of, "Well done thou good and faithful varmints!"
We must be careful about putting our passion and our faith into anything man-made because God will not share his glory with another. We also must be careful about how we train up our children, for however we train them when they are young, "when they are old they will not depart from it."
If we teach them to respect life, it will be reflected in their life. If we teach them through hands-on experience or through gun-oriented video games that people are fair game for target practice, Job 4:8 certainly holds true, "As I have observed, those who plow evil and those who sow trouble reap it."
So, what do we sow? It depends on what we want to see grow....more of God in our hearts, or more guns in our hands.....
BNcouraged!
Rev. Karen
A weekly posting of encouraging and challenging thoughts about life from Rev. Karen W. Curry, a pastor's wife and mother of two who is also --in her "spare time"-- a dynamic preacher, teacher, motivational speaker, facilitator, writer, reviewer, poet, MC, liturgical dance/drama consultant and storyteller. Contact Rev. Karen at BNcouraged247@msn.com to speak at your next service or retreat.
Wednesday, December 19, 2012
Wednesday, December 12, 2012
Well, Well, Well....It's 12-12-12!
Today's date -12-12-12-- hasn't occurred very often. In fact, only persons who are at least 100 years old have been around long enough to witness this occurrence for a second time.
People are fascinated by unique combinations of numbers. In fact, many people chose to get married today because of the rarity of today's date. If they made a point to get married today, I'm sure some of them decided to go all the way and get married at...you guessed it,12:12pm.
Twelve is actually quite a special number. There are 12 hours on a clock, and every 12 hours the time changes from night to day and vice versa. There are 12 items in a dozen, 12 inches in a foot and 12 months in a year. A jury consists of 12 persons. I read an interesting MSN article that explained how the number 12 is a unique number mathematically because it breaks down into halves, thirds, fourths, sixths and twelfths.
Biblically, twelve is also special because there were 12 disciples, 12 gates to the city, 12 tribes of Israel, and after suffering for 12 years, a woman was healed from an issue of blood-- a healing that took place while Jesus was on His way to heal a 12-year-old girl whom He raised from the dead. After Jesus performed a miracle by feeding the multitudes with fish and loaves there were 12 baskets filled with leftovers. I could provide "dozens" more examples, but I think you get the picture. The number 12 has great significance and is more prominent in our lives then we realize.
How appropriate that in this special month, the 12 month, we would celebrate the birth of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. Scholars may continue to debate whether December 25 is the actual birth date of Christ. But, there is no debate that He was born, lived and died over 2000 years ago. His life and death are not only matters of faith, but they are matters of historical record.
It is quite amazing that Christians throughout the entire world all agreed to celebrate Christ's birth on the same day in the same month. It's hard enough to get 12 people to unanimously agree on anything, let alone dozens and dozens of people all throughout the world. The level of worldwide agreement that it took to settle on December 25 as the day to celebrate Christ's birth is reason enough to celebrate because that depth of agreement is truly a miracle!
As this day draws to a close, and as this year draws to a close, I challenge you to look back over the past twelve months and find at least one miraculous thing God did for you. Even if you have had a tough and challenging year, if you reflect deeply enough, you will see moments where God either calmed the storm or calmed you and carried you through the storm. If you think about it, there were times throughout the year when you were almost down to the midnight hour and God came through, or even if He didn't come through the way you expected, today you are still able to stand because you are on the other side of through.
Twelve days from now will be Christmas Eve. When the clock strikes 12 at midnight on Christmas Eve, will we welcome Christmas morning with visions of sugar plums dancing in our heads or will we usher in the day with praise and thanksgiving--focusing on what we can give to the Lord, not what He can give to us?
This Christmas, before opening any presents, lets open our hearts to Jesus like never before. Lets present our bodies as living sacrifices unto Him and allow Him to order our steps in His Word. If we've in any way allowed ourselves to get off track this year, let the celebration of Christ's birth be a time for our rebirth. Let's mark the 12 days of Christmas by taking at least one step toward our destiny each day, moving beyond our past, our pain, our failures, even our successes. Start tonight with a new prayer. Send an encouraging e-mail to a friend--or to an enemy! Read a devotional. Watch an inspiring program. Whatever your fresh start entails, allow 12-12-12 to be the alarm bell that says, let's start living well.
BNcouraged!
Rev. Karen
People are fascinated by unique combinations of numbers. In fact, many people chose to get married today because of the rarity of today's date. If they made a point to get married today, I'm sure some of them decided to go all the way and get married at...you guessed it,12:12pm.
Twelve is actually quite a special number. There are 12 hours on a clock, and every 12 hours the time changes from night to day and vice versa. There are 12 items in a dozen, 12 inches in a foot and 12 months in a year. A jury consists of 12 persons. I read an interesting MSN article that explained how the number 12 is a unique number mathematically because it breaks down into halves, thirds, fourths, sixths and twelfths.
Biblically, twelve is also special because there were 12 disciples, 12 gates to the city, 12 tribes of Israel, and after suffering for 12 years, a woman was healed from an issue of blood-- a healing that took place while Jesus was on His way to heal a 12-year-old girl whom He raised from the dead. After Jesus performed a miracle by feeding the multitudes with fish and loaves there were 12 baskets filled with leftovers. I could provide "dozens" more examples, but I think you get the picture. The number 12 has great significance and is more prominent in our lives then we realize.
How appropriate that in this special month, the 12 month, we would celebrate the birth of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. Scholars may continue to debate whether December 25 is the actual birth date of Christ. But, there is no debate that He was born, lived and died over 2000 years ago. His life and death are not only matters of faith, but they are matters of historical record.
It is quite amazing that Christians throughout the entire world all agreed to celebrate Christ's birth on the same day in the same month. It's hard enough to get 12 people to unanimously agree on anything, let alone dozens and dozens of people all throughout the world. The level of worldwide agreement that it took to settle on December 25 as the day to celebrate Christ's birth is reason enough to celebrate because that depth of agreement is truly a miracle!
As this day draws to a close, and as this year draws to a close, I challenge you to look back over the past twelve months and find at least one miraculous thing God did for you. Even if you have had a tough and challenging year, if you reflect deeply enough, you will see moments where God either calmed the storm or calmed you and carried you through the storm. If you think about it, there were times throughout the year when you were almost down to the midnight hour and God came through, or even if He didn't come through the way you expected, today you are still able to stand because you are on the other side of through.
Twelve days from now will be Christmas Eve. When the clock strikes 12 at midnight on Christmas Eve, will we welcome Christmas morning with visions of sugar plums dancing in our heads or will we usher in the day with praise and thanksgiving--focusing on what we can give to the Lord, not what He can give to us?
This Christmas, before opening any presents, lets open our hearts to Jesus like never before. Lets present our bodies as living sacrifices unto Him and allow Him to order our steps in His Word. If we've in any way allowed ourselves to get off track this year, let the celebration of Christ's birth be a time for our rebirth. Let's mark the 12 days of Christmas by taking at least one step toward our destiny each day, moving beyond our past, our pain, our failures, even our successes. Start tonight with a new prayer. Send an encouraging e-mail to a friend--or to an enemy! Read a devotional. Watch an inspiring program. Whatever your fresh start entails, allow 12-12-12 to be the alarm bell that says, let's start living well.
BNcouraged!
Rev. Karen
Wednesday, December 5, 2012
THAT'S My Story--And I'm Sticking With It!
The District of Columbia Baptist Convention (DCBC) held its 136th annual meeting this week. The theme of this year's convention was, "A Story to Tell."
I have attended a number of DCBC meetings over the years, and I must say that this year's gathering topped any that I have attended before. This year I learned more about our story as a convention than I had ever known before and what I learned made me proud to be a part of DCBC.
I learned that our story includes educational pioneers like Luther Rice, who not only has a DCBC church named after him, but who also founded the college that is now known as George Washington University.
I already knew about another great educator, Nannie Helen Burroughs, who founded a school for African-American girls, a school that still exists today. But, I didn't know that her story included membership at the Nineteenth Street Baptist Church, a prominent DCBC church.
I was thrilled to learn that our story includes ministering to children in need as far back as the War of 1812 when countless children were orphaned. I was excited when I heard that our story also includes the fact that we are the most diverse convention in the nation. That diversity was reflected this week during our convention as men and women from different ethnic backgrounds and even different Baptist conventions led in worship which featured a diverse array of music.
Back at my home church, during Bible study tonight, my husband challenged all of us to ask God to reveal our mission in life. As I reflected on what I experienced during the convention this week, I would dare say that our mission is our story, for whatever it is we have been created and called to do is that which defines who we are and tells the story about where we are headed.
I heartily commend the DCBC staff for digging deep and bringing forth elements of our convention's story that had either been buried, forgotten or minimized. I also commend them for planning a great program, but still leaving room for God-- to the extent that what appeared to be an inadvertent 2-hour gap between sessions was revealed to be a divinely appointed opportunity for God to birth new ministries and forge new friendships and alliances that will keep our story moving forward and not just anchored in our past.
We left the convention recharged and energized as never before, ready to live out the next chapter in our convention's evolving story. How about you? Have you forgotten that the mere fact that you are still here means your story is still unfolding? Have you considered that the rough season you may be experiencing is merely a chapter or two in your story but not the entire story. Most importantly, have you remained focused on the fact that, regardless of what happens in the middle of your story, in the end, you win! (Sorry to spoil the ending for those of you who weren't so sure how the story was going to end!)
If you don't know your story, if you don't know your mission and purpose in life, interrupt your regularly scheduled program and seek God for clarity on your story. You may find that what you have been living is not your real story after all. Once God reveals His great and awesome plan for you, you will be able to say with confidence, "THAT's" my story, and I'm sticking with it!"
BNcouraged!
Rev. Karen
I have attended a number of DCBC meetings over the years, and I must say that this year's gathering topped any that I have attended before. This year I learned more about our story as a convention than I had ever known before and what I learned made me proud to be a part of DCBC.
I learned that our story includes educational pioneers like Luther Rice, who not only has a DCBC church named after him, but who also founded the college that is now known as George Washington University.
I already knew about another great educator, Nannie Helen Burroughs, who founded a school for African-American girls, a school that still exists today. But, I didn't know that her story included membership at the Nineteenth Street Baptist Church, a prominent DCBC church.
I was thrilled to learn that our story includes ministering to children in need as far back as the War of 1812 when countless children were orphaned. I was excited when I heard that our story also includes the fact that we are the most diverse convention in the nation. That diversity was reflected this week during our convention as men and women from different ethnic backgrounds and even different Baptist conventions led in worship which featured a diverse array of music.
Back at my home church, during Bible study tonight, my husband challenged all of us to ask God to reveal our mission in life. As I reflected on what I experienced during the convention this week, I would dare say that our mission is our story, for whatever it is we have been created and called to do is that which defines who we are and tells the story about where we are headed.
I heartily commend the DCBC staff for digging deep and bringing forth elements of our convention's story that had either been buried, forgotten or minimized. I also commend them for planning a great program, but still leaving room for God-- to the extent that what appeared to be an inadvertent 2-hour gap between sessions was revealed to be a divinely appointed opportunity for God to birth new ministries and forge new friendships and alliances that will keep our story moving forward and not just anchored in our past.
We left the convention recharged and energized as never before, ready to live out the next chapter in our convention's evolving story. How about you? Have you forgotten that the mere fact that you are still here means your story is still unfolding? Have you considered that the rough season you may be experiencing is merely a chapter or two in your story but not the entire story. Most importantly, have you remained focused on the fact that, regardless of what happens in the middle of your story, in the end, you win! (Sorry to spoil the ending for those of you who weren't so sure how the story was going to end!)
If you don't know your story, if you don't know your mission and purpose in life, interrupt your regularly scheduled program and seek God for clarity on your story. You may find that what you have been living is not your real story after all. Once God reveals His great and awesome plan for you, you will be able to say with confidence, "THAT's" my story, and I'm sticking with it!"
BNcouraged!
Rev. Karen
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